What Can I Do If My Camp Lejeune Claim Was Mishandled?

 Posted on October 13, 2022 in Personal Injury

Regrettably, many veterans now have cancer and other serious health conditions from contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. Adding insult to injury, numerous mistakes by the Veterans Benefits Administration (VA) involving Camp Lejeune disability claims have left veterans empty-handed. New legislation offers renewed hope but we understand that it may be hard for you to believe that things will be different this time.

Claims Denied and Underpaid

Thousands of veterans were left out in the cold after their claims were flat-out denied. Others are receiving incorrect benefit payout amounts. A new report shows some startling facts about why and how claims were mishandled:

• Nearly 40 percent of the Camp Lejeune disability claims were processed incorrectly.

• Thousands were denied prematurely often because no request for supporting evidence was made.

• Veterans were underpaid nearly $14 million in benefits because the wrong effective dates were assigned to their claims.

Some 57,500 disability compensation claims related to the water contamination at Camp Lejeune were filed between 2017 and 2021. The report shows that 71 percent of those claims were denied. That is unacceptable. It is no wonder veterans and their families may be asking themselves if it is prudent to seek legal representation going forward.

Act Now

Mistakes by the VA have given veterans, their families, and employees an understandable level of distrust. Rest assured that you do not have to take on the federal government alone. A skilled and experienced Camp Lejeune injury attorney can help you.

The new Camp Lejeune Justice Act has triggered legal filings by people who have suffered medical problems due to the contaminated water. The new law allows legal action to be taken for the first time. There is also a lower burden of proof to show that your health problem is related to the water contaminants where you used to live or work.

Even if you were previously turned down, you may be entitled to financial compensation. An attorney can handle your claim and help you gather the necessary evidence to prove you were injured by the toxic water at Camp Lejeune.  

Military members, their families, and anyone exposed to chemicals between 1953 and 1987 have two years to file a claim. As many as 1 million people may have been exposed to the contamination. 

Contact a Cook County Camp Lejeune Injury Lawyer  

There is a lot at stake for veterans, their families, and employees of Camp Lejeune who were injured due to water contamination. At Schwartz Injury Law we will work tirelessly to reach a favorable outcome. Even if you were denied in the past, call 708-226-9000 for a free consultation and we will review your case. A Joliet Camp Lejeune injury attorney will guide you through the complex process and try to help you get the compensation that you need. 

Sources:

https://www.va.gov/oig/pubs/VAOIG-21-03061-209.pdf

 https://www.va.gov/disability/eligibility/hazardous-materials-exposure/camp-lejeune-water-contamination/